Lucky escape for woman trapped under horse

A 19-year-old Lower Hutt woman was admitted to Wellington Hospital today after she was knocked unconscious and trapped under her dying horse.

The woman was out riding on the Wainuiomata southern coast this afternoon when her horse had a seizure, Westpac Rescue Helicopter's Dave Greenberg said today.

"'Apparently the woman was in a group of three horse back riders when her horse suffered a seizure, falling to the ground and trapping her underneath.

"Luckily there were other people nearby and they were able to pull her out from under the horse after a few minutes," Mr Greenberg said.

The woman was knocked unconscious in the fall and her helmet was heavily damaged.

"It would appear the helmet saved her life" Mr Greenberg said. "The helmet was shattered but it did its job and protected her head."

The woman regained consciousness but was groggy when the helicopter arrived.

She was being assessed and treated at the emergency centre.

The horse died at the scene.

- NZPA